Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals in Monaco: Rules and Options
Complete guide to Airbnb and short-term rental regulations in Monaco — what's allowed, restrictions, alternatives, and how Monaco differs from France.
Overview
Monaco has no dedicated legislation governing short-term rental platforms like Airbnb. Owners of private-sector properties can list their apartments, but practical restrictions at the building and lease level mean the market remains extremely small — approximately 120–130 active Airbnb listings at any given time, many of which are actually located in neighbouring Beausoleil or other French border communes rather than in Monaco proper.
The Monegasque government has stated it reserves the right to introduce regulation if short-term rentals become a serious competitor to the hotel sector or distort the housing market, but as of 2026 no such legislation has been enacted.
What Is Allowed
Private-sector property owners may list their apartments on Airbnb or similar platforms. There is no government-imposed day cap, no mandatory registration system, and no change-of-use authorisation required — unlike in France, where cities like Nice impose strict limits.
However, several important restrictions apply:
- State-owned (domanial) housing: reserved for Monegasque nationals and allocated by the Housing Department. Occupation is personal and subletting is excluded.
- Rent-controlled and liberalised sectors (buildings completed before 1 September 1947, Acts No. 1.235 and No. 887): these dwellings are privately owned, but letting them is restricted to eligible tenants and declared to the Housing Department. They cannot be diverted to tourist letting.
- Co-ownership rules: Many Monaco buildings have internal regulations that prohibit Airbnb-style rentals entirely. This is the most significant practical limitation.
- Tenants (not owners): Must verify their lease does not prohibit subletting. Unauthorised subletting can result in lease termination and damages.
- VAT obligations: Furnished tourist accommodation activity may trigger VAT liability, even though Monaco has no personal income tax.
The Market Reality
Monaco's Airbnb market is one of the smallest in Europe:
- Approximately 120–130 active listings
- Average daily rate around USD 344/night
- Occupancy rate approximately 58%
- Many listings marketed as "Monaco" are in fact in Beausoleil, Cap-d'Ail, or Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
The combination of extreme property values, strict building co-ownership rules, and Monaco's strong hotel infrastructure naturally constrains the short-term rental market without requiring the heavy regulation seen in French cities.
Alternatives to Airbnb
For visitors seeking apartment-style accommodation, Monaco offers several options:
- Apart-hotels: the three aparthotels marketed under the Monaco name — Aparthotel Adagio Monaco Monte Cristo (2A rue des Martyrs de la Résistance), Aparthotel Adagio Monaco Palais Joséphine (2A avenue du Général de Gaulle) and Appart'hôtel Odalys City Monaco Les Hauts de la Principauté (31 boulevard du Général Leclerc) — are all in Beausoleil, France, a few minutes' walk uphill from the border. They provide serviced apartments with kitchenettes for short or extended stays, but a French address: none of them can serve as proof of accommodation for a Monaco residence permit.
- Furnished lets of a month or more: the only Monaco-side option for an extended stay is a furnished flat on a registered lease, which is also what newcomers use while their residence application is processed — see furnished rentals in Monaco.
- Hotels: Monaco has approximately 2,500 hotel rooms across all categories, from budget-friendly options like Hotel de France to palace-classified hotels.
- Nearby border towns: Beausoleil (a short walk from Monaco), Cap-d'Ail, and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin offer significantly cheaper apartment rentals with easy access to the Principality.
Monaco vs. France
The regulatory contrast is significant:
| Monaco | France (e.g. Nice) | |
|---|---|---|
| Day cap | None | 120 days/year for primary residences |
| Registration required | No | Yes, mandatory with city authorities |
| Secondary residence rules | Building-level restrictions only | Prior authorisation from Mairie required |
| Tax reporting | VAT may apply | Income must be declared; Airbnb reports to tax authorities |
| Enforcement | Private (lease/co-ownership) | Government regulation with penalties |
France's 2024 legislation (Loi Le Meur) further tightened tax advantages for furnished tourist rentals and expanded municipal enforcement powers. Monaco has taken no equivalent action, relying instead on market forces and private restrictions to keep the sector small.
The information provided is for general guidance only. For official procedures, always consult the official sources.
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